Advice for Those Who Want to Start a Small Business or Work From Home

With the economy struggling right now, millions of Americans have either lost their jobs or have experienced significant pay cuts. However, there is a silver lining for individuals who are self-starters: Despite the pandemic, you can still get a small business up and running, and there are ample work-from-home opportunities out there. So, if you’re in need of revamping your career in these uncertain times, here is some advice and information to get you going:

If you want to start a small business…

Nothing is easy about starting a business. But if you have the drive to make it happen and you take the necessary steps toward long-term success, it can be a fulfilling way to make a living.

● The first step of starting a business is coming up with an initial idea, which should take into account your passions, strengths, and weaknesses.

● Then, you’ll need to turn that idea into a business plan.

● Once you have a plan, survey the market and hone in on your target audience.

If you want to work from home...

Whether you’re looking to start a business or work as an employee, doing it from home comes with many advantages. Just be sure to prepare and approach it the right way.

● When working from home, it’s critical to create a solid schedule.

● There can also be a lot of distractions, especially if you have kids. So, be sure to minimize those distractions and stay productive.

● Working from home means you will need to ensure you have all the right tools and apps.

If you need funding...

Unless you already have adequate capital built up, you will most likely need to find ways to fund your startup. Here are some suggestions:

● The Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering low-interest loans, grants, and other types of programs for small businesses in response to COVID-19.

● Businesses are also stepping up. For instance, ZenBusiness is offering $1,000 grants to small businesses right now.

If you’re a veteran…

There is a bounty of resources available specifically to veterans.

● American Veterans is a great place to find resources for advice, funding, and many other issues if you are starting a business or trying to build your work-from-home career.

● If you’re still trying to decide what type of work you want to do, consider the knowledge and skills you acquired while in the military.

● Along with taking advantage of your knowledge and skills, it can be helpful to hire a consultant to guide you through this stage in your career.

As hard as these economic times may be, small businesses can still thrive, and there are still job opportunities for people to work remotely. Consider the information listed here for starting a small business and working from home, and be sure to look into your funding options and veteran resources. In no time, you could be on your way to a new, fulfilling career.

Submitted by guest blogger, Kelli Brewer